Sports training aid

ABSTRACT

A sports training system including a set of numbered panels to be placed on a playing or training surface. The training system uses circular panels strategically positioned on the ground to guide a player&#39;s feet into a proper sport stance for multiple sports, including baseball, soccer, and basketball. The training system provides multiple circle-shaped panels. The panels are sized appropriately such that when a player being trained places feet on opposite sides of the panel, the player is placed in an athletic stance, approximately shoulder-width apart. The location of the panel on the playing surface places the player in a proper position. The panels may be formed from neoprene. The panel lays flat on a playing surface. Each panel has indicia printed on one side. The panels are positioned throughout the playing surface and may be located appropriately for certain types of offensive or defensive formations.

BACKGROUND

At a young age, fundamentals of sports can be difficult to grasp. For example, in basketball, before learning how to pass and shoot, it is important for players to first understand proper setup. One of the keys to the setup is foot placement and proper location on a playing surface. A coach cannot focus attention on all players at once, and instead of being able to focus on building skills in novice players, coaches must continually remind players where to stand on the playing surface and where to position their feet. Coaches must remind players during catching and throwing drills to place their feet shoulder-width apart. To prevent bad habits with respect to foot placement from becoming ingrained, a training device that continually reinforces proper foot spacing and alignment is needed.

Spacing, alignment, orientation, and positioning of the player's feet relative to opposing players and markers on the field can be critical. For example, in playing basketball one player may be spaced apart from a teammate in both a latitudinal and longitudinal direction. Establishing the stance is critical to developing the player's ability to direct the ball into the playing field. Young basketball players are often not able to consistently execute a proper setup and may need to have their feet repositioned by a trainer, coach, or parent prior to each action on the field. Repositioning the player requires additional coaching time that could be better spent teaching strategy or other aspects of the game.

Stance guides or trainers are known in the art. Some trainers utilize a platform anchored in the ground for securing and placement of a baseball batter's back foot. These are primarily used during practice and for securing the batter's back foot in a fixed position. These prior known solutions can also have parts protruding well above the ground surface that may result in the device becoming dislodged and having to repeatedly replace and reset the device in the ground. The protruding parts of such devices can also create a tripping hazard, especially for younger players.

Other batting aids include unitary mats that employ fixed foot outlines for a batter to place both of their feet. The spacing of the outlines cannot be adjusted. Also, the mats may slide around, be unstable and/or slippery, and ultimately undesirable as a surface to use during a game. The mats can also be relatively bulky, heavy, and cumbersome to transport and store.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,880 to Wiseman discloses a batting training device to teach a baseball batter to utilize a proper batting position. The training device is a mat marked with a first indicia designating home plate and a plurality of second indicia showing sequential segments for the batter to place his feet. The mat further includes a pressure sensitive area for temporarily indicating the position of the batter subsequent to the swing of the bat. The mat may be used alone to achieve a proper batting stance and proper foot positioning in relation to home plate or with at least one measuring means for measuring a point located in the strike zone of the batter identifying the height of a level swing of the bat. This measured specific distance correlates to a proper distance from home plate the batter should position himself to hit the ball with the “power zone” of the bat with a full arm extension of the leading arm. The training device teaches the novice batter the most advantageous position to consistently hit the ball with the bat.

United States Patent App. No. 20110003652 to Brend discloses a sports stance trainer. A foot positioning aid is disclosed to guide proper positioning of a player's feet for a sport stance. The aid has two foot-placement targets each with a top side, an underside, and a perimeter edge. The foot targets are separate from one another for independent positioning and placement on a playing surface. A securement device on the underside of each of the foot targets is configured to removably retain the foot targets in a selected location on the playing surface during use. The player places their feet on the top sides, one on each of the foot targets during use.

While these and other patents and patent applications teach proper position on a playing surface and foot placement for sports training, each have limitations. An easily relocated device designed to teach both proper position on a playing surface and continually reinforce an athletic stance all players involved is needed.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a foot placement sports training system. The training system uses circular panels strategically positioned on the ground to guide a player's feet into a proper sport stance for multiple sports, including baseball, soccer, volleyball and basketball. The training system provides multiple circle-shaped panels. The panels are sized appropriately such that when a player being trained places feet on opposite sides of the panel, the player is in an athletic stance. Further, the location of the panel locates the player in a proper position on a playing surface. The panels may be cut or stamped out of neoprene . The panel lays flat on grass, turf and indoor surfaces, which may include, but is not limited to, tile, concrete, and hardwood. The panels may be wind resistant. Each panel has indicia printed on a first surface and wherein the second surface is blank. The panel lays flat on a playing surface. Each panel has a single indicia selected from a plurality of indicia that comprise a sequence, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The panels are positioned throughout the playing surface and may be located appropriately for certain types of offensive or defensive formations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The, present invention and the manner in which it may be practiced is further illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the front and back of a panel according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A & 2B show a top view of the panel illustrating proper position for feet according to the present disclosure, wherein FIG. 2A shows feet on the panel. FIG. 2B shows feet outside the panel;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the front and back of a set of panels according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a basketball court with panels positioned on the playing surface according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a soccer field with panels positioned on the playing surface according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a volleyball court with panels positioned on the playing surface according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a practice system using panels according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific systems and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Training panel 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG.1. In one illustrated embodiment, training panel 10 is flat and circular, having a substantially planar first surface and which can be easily repositioned on a playing surface. The training system uses circular panels strategically positioned on the ground to guide a player's feet into a proper sport stance and motion for multiple sports. Within the scope of the present disclosure, different shapes may be used, however, shapes for panels 10 preferably have curved side portions adjacent to which feet 20 will be placed (as shown in FIG. 2). Generally circular is herein defined as having curved sides adjacent to where feet 20 are placed in accordance with the present disclosure. The training system includes multiple panels 10. Panels 10 may be cut or stamped out of neoprene. Neoprene (also polychloroprene or pc-rubber) is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene. Neoprene (also polychloroprene or pc-rubber) is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene. Other materials that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure including natural rubber, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene, nylon, a vinyl containing compound, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone, polyurethane, a nitrile containing compound, gel, polypropylene fabric, nitrile rubber, open cell foam, closed cell foam, fabric or some combination thereof, or like material.

Panel 10 is designed to lay flat on grass, turf and indoor surfaces (tile, concrete, hardwood) and may be wind resistant. In one embodiment, each panel 10 has screen printed numbers as indicia 14 on one surface, Panel 10 may, in one embodiment be flexible. The panels 10 are positioned in a spaced-apart relationship, and synchronized so that the player steps on the respective panel and in the proper direction based on the number. The number 14 indicates a position for an individual player. In the illustrated embodiment, training panel 10 may be formed out of a 3/16 inch (0.48 cm) neoprene layer that forms first surface 12. The material that comprises training panel 10 may be flexible and has frictional properties that may grip a playing surface such that training panel 10 will not easily slide on a hard playing surface such as a basketball court or a soft surface such as the turf of a football field.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, training panel 10 includes a visually recognizable indicia 14 which may be a number. Each panel 10 has a single indicium 14 selected from a plurality of indicia 14 that comprise a sequence, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The indicia 14 may be a series of numbers or letters, or other recognizably sequentially ordered indicia 14 as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, these elements are formed from neoprene first surface 12 using conventional screen printing, which may utilize an ink or a paint. Alternative embodiments, however, could utilize different means for providing panel 10 with such indicia 14, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, various types of ink or paint could be used, and other printing or painting methods, including the use of differently colored materials to form different parts of panel 10, could be used to form indicia 14 and markings on the first surface 12 of panel 10. In one embodiment, plastisol ink may be used for indicia 14 on neoprene panels 10. Plastisol inks, commonly used for textile printing and especially for t-shirts, are a PVC-based ink composed of a clear, thick plasticizer fluid and PVC resin. Plastisol is a suspension of PVC particles in a plasticizer; it flows as a liquid and can be poured into a heated mold. When heated to around 177° C., the plastic and plasticizer mutually dissolve each other. On cooling the mold below 60° C., a flexible, permanently plasticized product results. Alternatively, indicia 14 could be adhered to an first surface 12 of panel 10 with a tape.

Still other methods of forming such indicia 14 include forming depressions or projections in first surface 12 to form the indicia 14. Training panel 10 may in one embodiment be approximately 10″ in diameter, which is a critical size for most players to properly place their feet in an athletic position for playing sports. While players may differ in size, and, as such, the optimal diameter of panel 10 may differ, a 10″ diameter for panel 10 is, on average, proper for a typical player. The diameter of panel 10 may be adjusted for each individual player such that feet are placed approximately shoulder-width apart. Panel 10 may be wind resistant, such that the size, shape and weight prevent wind at 30 miles per hour from lifting panel 10 from a playing surface 40. The flexibility, weight, and grip provided by neoprene are sufficient for the purpose of wind resistance.

With regard to FIG.2, for a player to use panel 10 properly, feet 20 are properly placed outside and on either side of panel 10. FIG.2A illustrates an improper use of panel 10, where a player is standing on first surface 12 of panel 10. Proper use of panel 10 is shown in FIG. 2B, where feet 20 are located on either side of panel 10. This positioning locates feet 20 in the proper athletic position.

In sports, it is universally recognized that keeping feet 20 separated, and generally shoulder-width apart, constitutes a proper stance, and although most coaches recognize the need to allow some variance from the archetypical stance for individual players, there is general agreement that keeping feet 20 shoulder-width apart to form a stable and responsive stance will improve a player's skill. By defining proper foot position, panel 10 allows a coach to provide feedback and instructions to a player on his playing strategy while minimizing the time required to instruct the player on the proper placement of feet 20, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of the training session. Having players keep their feet 20 outside panel 10 creates muscle memory required to be “in the ready position” in sports, and allows players to self-check and for a coach to check all players at once. In the method of the present disclosure, panel 10 may be placed where players should be standing, which may, for example, be 3 feet off first base or short stop equidistant between 2nd and 3rd base.

With regard to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, a sports training kit 38 includes twelve 10″ round stamped/cut out neoprene circles form panels 10. In the method according to the present disclosure, panels 10 may be placed in a pattern 30. Each pattern may have a different use with regard to a particular sport. With regard to FIG. 3, first surface 12 is shown on twelve panels 10. Twelve panels are shown having indicia 14, where indicia 14 are numbers 1-12. Indicia 14 may be screen printed on neoprene. Also shown in FIG. 3 are twelve panels 10 showing second surfaces 16.

With regard to FIG. 4, a basketball court is shown having a playing surface 40. On a left side of the court is shown an example of a pattern 30 for a zone defense. Panels 10 are showing first surface 12 having the numbers 1-5. Each player would, in pattern 30 shown, stand with feet 20 on either side of panel 10, thereby placing them in a proper athletic stance and in the proper position on playing surface 40. The right side of FIG. 4 shows an example of pattern 30 for a man to man defense in basketball. Second surface 16 is shown to represent players on the opposing team, in this example the offense of the opposing team. First surface 12 is shown to represent players on the team being coached, which may be referred to as a first team and wherein a second team may be represented by the second surface 16 of panel 10.

FIG. 5 shows a soccer field having playing surface 40. Pattern 40 shows the proper positioning for players, as indicated by first surface 12 of panels 10, on playing surface 40. The team being coached, or as herein referred to as a home team, is represented by first surfaces 12 and each player is represented by indicia 14. A goalie is shown by indicia 14 having the number 1 on first surface 12. The defense is represented by second surface 16 on pattern 30.

FIG.6 shows a volleyball court having playing surface 40. Pattern 30 shows the proper positioning for players on the playing surface 40. The team being coached is represented by first surfaces 12 and each player is represented by indicia 14. The defense is represented by second surface 16 on pattern 30. The defense is represented by pattern 40.

In another embodiment, indicia 14, in a baseball game, may correspond to the defensive field positions, where each position of the field, from catcher to center field, has a number from 1-9. Panels 10 are placed in the appropriate locations throughout the field and players are taught to stand with their feet on either side of panel 10, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

With regard to FIG. 7, a practice system 70 that nay be used for warming up and throwing a ball 72 is shown. In this embodiment, ball 72 is thrown from a first position to a second position, where first surface 12 having indicia 14 of the number 1 represents a first position and first surface 12 having indicia 14 of the number 2 on an first surface represents a second position. Columns 74 may be placed vertically and in parallel with panels 12 having odd numbers in first column 74 and even numbers in a second column 74. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, players pass ball 72 between consecutively numbered panels 12. Here, the practice system may comprise throwing a ball from a first player standing at a first panel 10 to a second player standing at a second panel 10 wherein the first panel 10 and the second panel 10 are adjacent numbers in a sequence of numbers.

Having described the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention may otherwise be embodied within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sports training kit comprising: a plurality of panels; wherein each panel is generally circular; wherein each panel is sized and configured to have two feet of a player at least a shoulder-width apart when each foot of the player is placed adjacent to, and on opposite sides of, each respective panel; wherein each panel has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of each panel includes an indicia selected from a plurality of indicia; wherein the plurality of indicia comprises a consecutive sequence; wherein the second surface has no indicia wherein the kit comprises at least one smaller diameter panel and at least one larger diameter panel such that a smaller diameter panel provides proper foot spacing for a smaller size player, a larger diameter panel provides proper foot spacing for a larger size player, thereby achieving substantially equivalent proportional foot spacing when the two feet of each player, respectively, are placed adjacent to, and on opposite sides of each respective panel.
 2. The sports training kit of claim 1, wherein the indicia is a number.
 3. The sports training kit of claim 1, wherein each panel is approximately 10″ in diameter.
 4. The sports training kit of claim 1, wherein each panel is comprised of neoprene.
 5. The sports training kit of claim 1, wherein a number of panels included in a kit is twice a number of a plurality of numbers corresponding to a number of players for one team in a designated sport.
 6. The sports training kit of claim 1, wherein a number of panels having a first surface facing up placed on a playing surface corresponds to a number of players on one team for a sport.
 7. The sports training kit of claim 1, wherein each panel is comprised of a flexible material configured to receive at least one of an ink or a paint.
 8. The sports training kit of claim 1, wherein the indicia is comprised of plastisol.
 9. A method of training a player comprising: providing a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are generally circular; sizing the plurality of panels to have a diameter of approximately shoulder-width for a player; placing a number on an first surface of each panel; assigning the player to a numbered panel based on the number on the numbered panel; placing the plurality of panels on a playing surface; directing the player to stand at one of the plurality of panels based on the numbered panel to which the player was assigned; directing the player to stand with the player's feet placed adjacent to, and on opposite sides of each respective panel such that the player's feet are at least shoulder width apart.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising placing the plurality of panels on a playing surface such that a plurality of panels having the first surface facing up to correspond to a set of players on a first team and a plurality of panels having the first surface facing down correspond to a set of players on a first team facing down to correspond to an opposing team.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein a number of panels placed on a playing surface with first surfaces facing up corresponds to a number of players on one team for a sport.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein each panel is comprised of at least one of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene, nylon, a vinyl containing compound, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone, polyurethane, a nitrile containing compound, gel, polypropylene fabric, nitrile rubber, open cell foam, closed cell foam, and fabric.
 15. (canceled)
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 27. A method of training a player comprising: providing a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are generally circular and comprised of a rubber or synthetic rubber; providing at least one smaller diameter panel for a smaller size player, providing at least one larger diameter panel for a larger size player, screen printing a number on a first surface of each panel in a center of the panel; placing the plurality of panels on a playing surface; assigning a number to each player according to the numbers on the panels; directing the player to stand at one of the plurality of panels based on the number assigned to the player; directing the player to stand with their feet adjacent to, and on opposite sides, of each respective panel thereby placing the player in an athletic stance at the assigned panel.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein a number of panels placed on a playing surface with first surfaces facing up corresponds to a number of players on one team for a sport. 